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Two and a half hours from London, in the mid-Dorset village of Evershot, Summer Lodge Hotel is a captivating retreat. This privately owned luxury property, which includes the 300-year-old Ivy Cottage, derives from an 18th century manor house renovated by architect and author Thomas Hardy. Recent enhancements add contemporary allure to this venerable country hotel and Relais & Chateaux associate, as do a catering staff and acclaimed cuisine with vintage cellar selections.
Summer Lodge
9 Fore Street
Dorset, England
DT2 0JR
Nearest Airport: LON
If you're wondering whether Summer Lodge might be the right place for you, consider asking yourself these questions: Do I want..... 1. To go somewhere that feels like someone's country home - luxurious and comfortable, but meant to be enjoyed? 2. Is it important that the staff be courteous, kind and always smiling? 3. My dog to feel pampered? And can she stay in any of the rooms? 4. To have lots of different places to lounge - in front of a roaring fire or in a comfy nook? 5. To have delicious breakfasts, gourmet dinners and an amazing pub across the street? 6. To take long countryside walks through a neighboring private estate or let my dog run wild in the field across the street? 7. A lovely indoor pool and jacuzzi to lounge in when the weather is cold (or hot)? If you answer YES to any or all of these questions, then just go stay at Summer Lodge. We booked a last minute getaway over New Year's Eve with our pup, Lexi. She was treated like a rock star everywhere she went. The non-canines were also treated like royalty! We stayed in the duplex suite with attached cosy double room and absolutely loved it. It was so quiet and peaceful. Being in either room felt like what I imagine it's like at a country house party - beautiful without being pretentious, comfortable and lived-in without being rundown and remarkable attention to detail (like refilling a tin with homemade and delicious shortbread every day and leaving plenty of water). But the real difference is the staff - most of whom have been there for years. We especially appreciated Asha and Buster at the front, Jonathan at the bar, Thomas during breakfast and Bea - who helped us even after we left and realized we'd left a coat behind! We can't wait to visit again in the summer.
JTW69OR - Penarth, United Kingdom
Fantastic hotel with amazing staff. The food is sublime and the staff are 5 star. The spa facilities are excellent and massage treatments were so good and professional
rockandrollholidays - Dorset, United Kingdom
We stayed with friends for my wife’s birthday just before Christmas and had a wonderful time. Our deal consisted of b&b, cream tea and drinks and nibbles. The hotel was very helpful about arranging the times for all these to suit. Our rooms were large, comfortable and well appointed. The hotel itself is beautifully decorated, especially at Christmas. There is a lovely spa with a large pool which we made full use of. We didn’t eat in the restaurant but did have lunch the next day after a long walk in the area, which was great, but the outstanding factor was the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, who all went above and beyond to make sure we had a good stay.
Hihedge - Bath, United Kingdom
Our first return visit to Summer Lodge for two years . It just not disappoint . We had Dinner one night in the Restaurant and it was frankly outstanding ! All those little touches too, amuse bouche, a small sour dough loaf straight from the over and a pre desert . Just excellent. Previous night dined at the Acorn ,opposite almost the Hotel and owned by them. Gastro pub and very good pub food . Summer Lodge has a true Country House feeling and Staff and gardens to match . Stunning Christmas decorations in Hotel and Garden Spa and pool area still in great shape and ideal spot to relax when the weather was so bad . If I had any small criticism it would be of breakfast service on 9th Dec . Lead waiter on duty very casual and not professional and had two young trainees with him. Ian Otherwise anther great stay .
Stationmaster39 - Bath, United Kingdom
A gorgeous boutique hotel with superb service. The food was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive and seemed to know what we wanted before we did.
NickBD
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Summer Lodge in Dorset, England is a class above the rest. Our room had a copper bath with a book holder, a candle holder and a holder for two champagne flutes—that’s what I call attention to detail. The food is of Michelin-starred quality. The staff is attentive and professional, like the French sommelier who guided us towards more obscure and daring vintages, and hit the spot each time.
-V. Vidal